The 2025-26 NFL Draft is finally here! The first round takes place tonight, Thursday, April 23rd. Here is a look at my third 2026 first-round NFL Mock Draft and some related draft props at DraftKings Sportsbook.
Read my Mock Draft 2.0 here.
1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, Quarterback, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza is the clear top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Currently, the Heisman Trophy winner and national champion out of Indiana is -20000 to be the No. 1 overall pick. There is no debate about who the Raiders are taking here, and he should be a great NFL quarterback.
2. New York Jets: Arvell Reese, EDGE, Ohio State
There is a major debate over whether the Jets will go with Arvell Reese or David Bailey with the No. 2 overall pick. The Jets want to build up through the defensive front, making those two the best picks for them. However, I expect the Jets to go with Reese. Many believe that he is the most talented player in this entire draft class. There is some concern about his transition to playing like a true EDGE in the NFL, but he is capable of being a Micah Parsons-type player for the Jets.
3. Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
If the Jets go with Reese, the Cardinals should snatch up David Bailey. While Reese might have the higher ceiling, Bailey could also be a great player in this league. He had an incredible 14.5 sacks last season at Texas Tech and should be a productive pass-rusher at the next level.
4. Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love is also in the discussion for the most talented player in this draft class. A running back has not been selected in the top five since Saquon Barkley in 2018. However, Love is on that level of incredible talent and NFL-style of play. He is only 20 years old and has relatively fresh legs for such a proven back. He would be a great weapon to gift Cam Ward for his sophomore season and beyond.
5. New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Giants now have two top 10 picks after trading away Dexter Lawrence. This is their original pick, but their strategy certainly changes after that trade. My expectation is for the Giants to work on beefing up that front seven with the departure of Lawrence. Sonny Styles is a do-it-all linebacker out of Ohio State and could captain this defense for years to come. He has an incredibly high football IQ and could be the anchor of this defense.
6. Cleveland Browns: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson has flown up draft boards over the past few weeks. He has been the WR2 behind Carnell Tate almost the entire draft process, but I now expect him to be the first receiver taken in this class. Tyson has injury concerns and lacks the dependability that comes with Carnell Tate. However, he also has a higher upside due to his bigger frame and special athleticism. Tyson could be what the Browns need to become a more explosive offense next season and beyond.
7. Washington Commanders: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
The Commanders could go a couple of different ways here, but they definitely need to beef up the defense. They had one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL last season. That is partially due to the secondary, but also the lack of pass rush. Enter Rueben Bain Jr., who rose to prominence by dominating opposing offensive lines en route to the national title game with Miami. Bain has some physical traits, mainly his length, that have some teams concerned. However, his production and tape are undeniable. Bain would be a great selection for Washington.
8. New Orleans Saints: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Carnell Tate could be the perfect weapon for Tyler Shough. The Saints hope that they have found their new franchise quarterback in Shough after how well he performed down the stretch last season. That was despite the lack of a solid pass-catching group. Chris Olave is a fantastic receiver, but has struggled with injuries the past couple of seasons. Tate could add a more reliable option for Shough to throw touchdowns to. If they could get the Buckeye duo on the field together, that could make them one of the more dangerous duos in the league.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OL, Utah
The Chiefs are hoping to get back to the top of the league next season after the first real down year of the Patrick Mahomes era. The priority should be protecting their future Hall of Fame quarterback. Spencer Fano is incredibly experienced and can play at either tackle spot. He could protect Mahomes for years to come.
10. New York Giants: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
With the Giants’ second pick, they could reach for an offensive weapon like Kenyon Sadiq or Makai Lemon. However, with so much young offensive talent already, why not add another high-end young defensive weapon? To make matters easy, just take Sonny Styles’ college teammate, Caleb Downs. Downs is a superstar safety who can do it all, from ball-hawking to run-stuffing.
11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
The Dolphins ranked 27th in defensive EPA/dropback last season. While they have a lot of question marks on offense, they really need to improve on that side of the ball first and foremost. Mansoor Delane is the top cornerback in this draft class and could be the next Xavien Howard in Miami.
12. Dallas Cowboys: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Francis Maugioa is a prospect with an extremely high floor. He was a top prospect out of high school and lived up to expectations as a great three-year starter at Miami. He is expected to play right tackle, making him a bit less valuable. However, he could immediately step in and start for the Cowboys in Week 1 of the 2026-27 season.
13. Los Angeles Rams: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
Kenyon Sadiq is one of the more intriguing players in this class. He has a big body and is a great pass-catcher at tight end. The Rams have one of the best rosters in the NFL and are just making one more push for a Super Bowl before Matt Stafford retires. With this pick, they should take a chance on the highest-ceiling player who could be an X-factor for them on a postseason run. Sadiq could be that guy.
14. Baltimore Ravens: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Ravens need to get Lamar Jackson some help. Zay Flowers has been the WR1 in Baltimore the last couple of years. Flowers is not a high-end WR1, but the WR2 situation has been dire in Baltimore as well. The duo of Flowers and Makai Lemon could immediately become dangerous. Lemon is regarded by some as the most talented pass-catcher in this draft and could be a steal with the 14th pick.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Olaivavega Ioane, OG, Penn State
Olaivavega Ioane is a versatile offensive line prospect. He could play at either guard spot or even some tackle at the next level. The Buccaneers need to add to their offensive line depth, and getting a player who can play at multiple spots would be a big help.
16. New York Jets: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
I had the Jets taking a pass-rusher with their first pick. However, they also need help at the back end to replace Sauce Gardner. Jermod McCoy is not quite at that level as a prospect, but he could be a great NFL cornerback. Leaving this first round with Reese and McCoy would make Jets fans very happy.
17. Detroit Lions: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Monroe Freeling has Detroit Lion written all over him. When in doubt, Dan Campbell looks to the offensive line. Freeling was a great player at Georgia and has a high floor coming into the NFL.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is an exciting player in this class. McNeil-Warren is following in former teammate Quinyon Mitchell’s footsteps as a first-round pick out of Toledo. The Vikings have a great defense, but are always looking to add more pieces for Brian Flores to work with.
19. Carolina Panthers: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Omar Cooper Jr. should be the fourth wide receiver off the board and go inside the top 20. The Panthers took a big jump forward last season, winning the NFC South and nearly upsetting the Rams in the first round. However, they need a couple of game-changers to take them to the next level. Cooper is a national title winner and high-floor pass-catcher who would be an ideal weapon for Bryce Young.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Akheem Mesidor should be a first-round pick, just like his fellow Miami pass-rusher Rueben Bain Jr. Mesidor actually put up the bigger numbers last season, recording 12.5 sacks for the Hurricanes. The Cowboys went with the offensive line with their first pick and should address the defensive line with this pick. They need to try to replace Micah Parsons, and Mesidor has the ceiling to be that guy.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Steelers need a wide receiver to complement DK Metcalf. Metcalf had a solid first season in Pittsburgh, but outside of him, there is no real threat in that group. Aaron Rodgers looks to be coming back for one more ride, and the Steelers would do well to get him another weapon. KC Concepcion is a great route runner who can turn on the jets and make plays after the catch.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
It would be malpractice for the Chargers not to reinforce the offensive line with this pick. They have a franchise quarterback who gets pulverized every week because of a dreadful offensive line. Blake Miller is an experienced player with a high floor who could immediately step in and start for the Chargers.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
While Miller is the safe option at offensive tackle, Kadyn Proctor is the high-ceiling, low-floor guy. Proctor is a massive body with great potential, but his production was all over the map in college. Proctor could end up playing more guard in the NFL, but he has the body to play tackle if he gets coached up.
24. Cleveland Browns: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Caleb Lomu continues the run of offensive linemen. The Browns’ quarterback room is a major question mark. When in doubt, bolster the offensive line. No matter who is playing quarterback, they will have much more success with time to throw.
25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Dillon Thieneman could end up going much higher in this draft, but I have him dropping to the Bears. Thieneman is a great athlete and a smart safety. The Bears need help in the secondary to get to the next level and compete for a Super Bowl.
26. Buffalo Bills: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
Just like Lamar Jackson needs another weapon, so does Josh Allen. Khalil Shakir is just not up to par as a WR1 for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Outside Shakir, the receiver corps is a horror show in Buffalo. Denzel Boston is a big, physical body and has strong hands. He would be a great complement to Shakir in this offense.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
If the 49ers are healthy, they have one of the best offenses in the NFL. They just need to try to keep their aging defense on that same level. Colton Hood could be the second Tennessee quarterback taken in this first round.
28. Houston Texans: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
Just like the Chargers, it would be criminal for the Texans not to take an offensive lineman here. Houston had the best defense in the NFL last season, but could not protect C.J. Stroud. Max Iheanachor is a high-level athlete who has an incredibly high ceiling. He still has a lot to learn, but from a physical standpoint, he is top-tier in this draft class.
29. Kansas City Chiefs: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
The Chiefs went with an offensive lineman to protect Mahomes with their first pick. With this second pick, they could take a game-changing pass rusher. T.J. Parker had a bit of a down season, which is a red flag. However, his 2024 season was fantastic. The Chiefs are hoping that’s the guy they get with this pick.
30. Miami Dolphins: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
At long last, the second quarterback comes off the board. Ty Simpson is the clear QB2, but he is rated way below Fernando Mendoza, yet way above anyone else in the class. That makes him difficult to value with a draft pick. That being said, it seems increasingly likely that he goes in the first round. The Dolphins paid up for Malik Willis this offseason, but Willis is still unproven as a long-term starter. Simpson could compete with Quinn Ewers for the backup spot and develop while Willis starts. In the future, either Simpson or Ewers could end up taking over the QB1 job if Willis can’t meet the mark.
31. New England Patriots: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
The Patriots made a great run to the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel’s first season in charge. However, they were missing an elite pass rush all season. Keldric Faulk could come in and immediately be a game-wrecker on that defensive line.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
The Seahawks don’t have any major needs, opening the door to take the most talented player on the board. While he was overshadowed by his teammate Jeremiyah Love, who will be a top-five pick in this draft, Jadarian Price is pretty special himself. Just like Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson last year, these two running backs from the same backfield should both be top-40 picks. However, both being first-round picks would be another level. Seattle needs to replace Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, and Price could step in to play alongside Zach Charbonnet.
